Great find! We're took the ABQ Trolley tour today and shopped in Old Town. Were looking for a place for food and beer afterwards that's dog friendly. This was close by and dogs are allowed outside as well as inside (super bonus!) so we gave it a try. So glad we did! We were able to eat inside with our pup and he was even treated to his own bowl of bacon! Green chile cheese burger and pork nachos were so good and their on tap beer hit the spot. We highly recommend this sweet little brew pub even if you don't have a doggie!!! read more

I had a quite a bit of time to kill so I sat at the bar and had a couple of Rip Saw Reds. I enjoyed chatting with a person from the neighborhood. Time flew by and I enjoyed the beer and the environment. Definitely will be back next year. read more

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Tyler (server, greeter, bartender, cashier, etc.), hit it out of the park! We honestly cannot recall the last time we've seen someone with such amazing work ethic! Tyler didn't stop the entire time we were there. The place was busy and he took care of everything! We were thoroughly impressed! Mr. Wonderful had the green chili, beer-cheese burger and there wasn't a crumb left on his plate. I had the twice burnt tacos, I know how it sounds, but they are delicious. The accompanying chips were fresh out of the fryer. The atmosphere is dark wood, welcoming and pub like. They do offer outdoor seating. read more

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Super friendly service in a rustic location. We did a sampler at first and then a couple pints. We did not eat here but it was Taco Tuesday. It's hard to make a variety of beers well. They did it! read more

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What a fantastic place! Great beers and a solid happy hour. The staff is super friendly and even paid a little bacon tax to the furry ones. We love it read more

Loved this place. In the beginning and in my 1st review, it was near my stomping grounds. The food was good (well for bar food, it was tasty - I was never disappointed). The service was always quick and friendly. Professional. Since COVID (yes, I am going to blame some of this updated review on COVID), each time we have come in over the last few years we have begun to feel like they just can't keep up / don't really care. Beer and food still remain good, but specials on their board always seem to run out before the "crowd" arrives. During my recent visit we didn't order food - so this isn't about the food. We only had a couple of beers. They were good, but nothing spectacular. Nothing to make them stand out in a crowd of excellent breweries around town. When it can time to pay, we gave the server a $20 bill. She gave us change from a $10. OK, so very busy Servers make mistakes. It happens to us all. It was crowded and noisy. And there were definitely not enough staff. When we suggested that a mistake was made, the response was quick, curt and accusatory. My companion just wanted to leave with out clearing up the mistake. I mentally agreed and would have just left the remainder of the $20, but before I could pick up my phone and slide out of the booth the Server came over and asked me again how much we had given her (as if my companion was not telling the truth). I said we had given her $20. She then proceeded to "gently" slam a $10 bill and some change on the table with a curt "here" remark. Perhaps COVID has left them understaffed? Or overworked? But friendly Customer Service is the No.1 reason clients return to a business. Yes, good food & good drinks are critical too. but all three are important when the business has lots of competition. Ponderosa? I want to love you again. but not if I am going to be rudely accused of not telling the truth. of cheating. I only had one beer and I know how much money I had to start. Perhaps you don't have enough staff . . . or enough experienced staff? With all the brewery competition in town you really need to step up your game. read more

Taco Tuesday here is amazing. We only ate the Carnitas but they were good enough to prevent my trying the other ones. The staff is pleasant and attentive. Homey neighborhood place. Dog friendly too! read more

We stopped by to meet up with friends on trivia night and had a great time. Ponderosa has a pleasing ambiance, a great selection of beers and bar food, and excellent service. Even though they were understaffed this particular evening, Tyler did a great job with a smile on his face. read more

Ponderosa Brewing - Bar area - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Great brewery with a nice patio and a cool air conditioned bar area. The menu looks inviting but I only had beer. The Kolsch was tasty but the Cali Common was a bit high on the IBUs (35) for me. Service was great! read more

Ponderosa Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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If you want to get under cooked wings just don't do it .... (ordered them extra well) and received food poisoning then this is your place for horrible service and clearly the most disgusting food ever! Not to mention food poisoning!!! read more

We wandered in here to catch a football game and had the best time. The food was amazing and the service was top notch. We were well looked after and the suggestions they made on what to order did not steer us wrong. read more

I've come a few times and I always enjoy it. Food is good and the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because they no longer have their hand cut fries. They were the absolute best and I miss them. Seating is great and it's not terribly loud even with the Friday Eve DJ. It's a great place to meet friends and play cards. While the beer wasn't my absolute favorite I had a tasty gingerbread type beer. I wish I had seen the special drinks they were offering. Maybe having them mention that would have been useful but it's okay, i will know to look next time. Love the wood accents. It's memorable for me since my dad worked in a sawmill when I was little. Love how Ponderosa has incorporated that. read more

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This place is tucked away from the Sawmill market and the NM history museum. I'm not much for the brewery part but, I was interested in the food and atmosphere. The waitress was nice, I was with a group and she was good at getting everyones food and drink orders correct, As well as, when giving the bill she was very good at remembering who ordered what. There was a small issue with one of the ladies who ordered a side and being charged extra amount. I felt the waitress handled it well, although, she could of told the lady there would be an extra charge for the side as a courtesy when she ordered even though it says it on the menu. Which is the reason for the 4/5 stars. The food coming after order was timely, didn't seem too long. I ordered the pulled pork bbq sandwich with coleslaw and beans. The sandwich was good. Sauce was sweet not tangy and the coleslaw was tasty and crunchy. Good size portions for the price. I had water which was set up as get your own which was nice. It was a clean and spacious, lighting was good, music was at a good volume, and right when I was about to leave looked like they hired a DJ for the rest of the night. It's a nice place to go for a end of the week drink food night. I would go back to try some more on the menu. read more

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After not having visited in a few months, we came to Ponderosa for Geeks Who Drink and dinner last night. I've always enjoyed their beers and food, and this was no exception. I ordered one of their seasonal beers, the Krampus Gingerbread Stout, and my husband had a Palpatine's Porter. I really liked my stout; you could smell and taste the spices, but they were subtle and balanced well with the stout's bitter notes. My husband's porter was also tasty, but I preferred mine. If you prefer a slightly lighter brown beer, try the Bellamah Brown. We both ordered the pulled pork sandwich, topped with their housemade BBQ sauce and coleslaw, which was delicious - tender pork, lightly sweet sauce, and coleslaw with enough oomph to blend nicely with the other flavors. I had some tasty fries with mine, and my husband had the Burque beans, which were nice and flavorful. I was too busy eating and playing trivia to take a picture but trust me, it was good stuff. Our server was friendly and attentive without being overbearing and the sound quality was great. Ponderosa is a nice place to go in the Sawmill area. read more

Bavarian Pretzel=it is a very large pretzel. The food here is very good. They have flights of beer, and they are dog friendly. I came on a Thursday. Decent size crowd. The karaoke dj was horrible. His speakers were the worst, and it did not help or highlight and of the singers. I'm not sure how he landed this job. The ponderosa pilsner is very good at 4.5%. With the exception of the worst speaker system I've ever heard the night was pretty steady. read more

Ponderosa Brewing - Flights of 5 - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ponderosa is a consistent place to go to get a beer and something to eat. We came on a Thursday night and were greeted with Karyoke which has now become our Thursday night fun thing to do. We each had a beer and when checking in on Yelp we got an order of free fries. They hadn't seen the Yelp offer before and weren't sure what to do with it, but were quick to offer us a free small fry which came out quickly and hot! It was pretty packed on at 8 pm. We only stayed for one drink, but I look forward to coming in more often. read more

Ponderosa Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Went to ponderosa today for lunch with my husband to celebrate our anniversary. Today was $1 wings. It was limit 12 per customer, but since we were sharing a few things to try we got one 12 piece. The garlic parm wings were delicious! The flavor was nice but not overpowering. We also got a pretzel. It was HUGE and delicious! The outside was crisp and buttery and the inside was soft and so delicious. The cheese to go with it had a nice flavor with hints of green chile to boot. The ponderosa burger was juicy and had fresh vegetables inside the chicken tender were a nice size, the breading was crisp and a wonderful texture and crunch to it... however I was sad that it didn't have any seasoning in it. That was my only complaint. The tenders may be lovely if seasoned or if there was a buffalo sauce or some type of sauce coating it. Staff... as always knocks it out of the park! Friendly and attentive... it was busy and seemed only one person up front so a little slower but worth the wait, however would not recommend if you're on a quick lunch or a time crunch. The inside was quiet despite being busy. The setup is nice with high backings to the booth so you don't hear everyone around you. No issues in the parking lot. Easy to find parking read more

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I came here for lunch with coworkers recently and was so surprised to find it existed and enjoyed it throughly. The staff were friendly, the tacos were so different--in a delicious way. Definitely, of all the tacos I've tried out for the first time, these were the most satisfying. I liked the wooden decor and big booths and especially that it wasn't crowded and loud. The next time you end up a Sawmill and can't find a place to sit, ahead down the street a block and try Ponderosa out. read more

Great beer options and the gals who work there are fun! Dog friendly - ours had a bacon treat.

Back in the day, we stopped at Ponderosa w. family to grab a beer & catch up. My review never posted- but I remember the delicious beer & fries- so I have to go back and give props where props is due! There are many ABQ breweries, & my hubby & I hit most of them during our byo-brewery/hiking tour, but saved Ponderosa, as my family wanted to check out their beer & ambiance- Arriving, I was elated to discover there was a fun yelp-check-in for free fries appetizer with purchase of a beer (sold!) I opted for the Ghost Train IPA-giving a high untappd review for flavor crispness- hearty pint pour, reasonable price happy hour The fries were perfection- crispy outside, warm fluffy well-seasoned inside- cooked w.peel on for extra bold flavor pop. Family, whom are not typically craft brew drinkers- found beers on tap they rather enjoyed, and even noted they returned for visits long after ours..Cheers to a great spot! read more

The green chilli cheeseburger was great tasting, good size and very good heat from the homegrown peppers. The wings were also a hit as well as the Brussels sprouts. We went on Thursday and it was the first night of the DJ that worked there previously but is back and will now be there every Thursday night. Excellent music throughout the night hip vibes if back in town it's my go to place for food and drinks. the entire staff was friendly and took great of our group of 4. read more

Came in for a small bite and got whopping flavor from their Happy Hour cup of posole with wam tortilla and the hamburger sliders, which I split with my friend! Plenty of searing and super friendly wait staff! read more

Went here on 6/28/22 for lunch. Nice area. Seems to be surrounded by apartments. They are a restaurant also. We ordered fish and chips and the classic burger. Both good. Today they also had their blood orange wit and Italian Pilsner in Cans. But they also sell growlers. We got a flight. We ordered the ipa, brown, wit, maibock and hoppy lager. All beers were really good! All good flavor and crushable. There was only 1 bartender/server and she was fantastic. Very attentive and friendly. Great spot! Cheers! read more

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This place had advertised a "Gone Country Saturdays" on their website and social media pages, stating there would live music and dancing. It stated it was every Saturday. So, we showed up, ready to dance, only to be informed "we don't do that anymore. we need to update our website." Okay, so update your website then!! Not to mention there was also a sign in the bathroom to advertise this. Foolishly, our very large party of 10+ people stayed to have food and drinks. We had to ask multiple times for a dish and some drinks that they kept forgetting. The servers and staff could have been nicer as well! I am going down the street to Sawmill after this to actually enjoy myself. read more

Ponderosa Brewing - The photo advertising the dancing (that did not happen) - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ponderosa is located in a modern looking warehouse in Old Town, just a few blocks from Hotel Albuquerque. They've got a bar, booths, tables, and plenty of patio space. I came in this week with a group from UNM. We sat at a long table in the middle of the dining area. Since I had to drive, my only beer selection was the amber ale, which they describe as being English style. It was pretty tasty! Score one for the beer. We also shared a few plates of food. The nachos were just a notch above average, but the green chile on top was a lovely touch. The fries, handcut and nicely salted, were a bit soggy, but still delicious. (Update: I came back last night and the fries were way crispier.) No complaints about the wings: crispy, and the waiter was happy to bring us extra sauce. First impressions are pretty good! I'm excited to try more of the beers and entrees. Feels like a cozy, neighborhood pub. Also, live music and open mic night on Wednesdays. That's what's up. read more

Ponderosa Brewing - Half flight - five pours, 4 oz. each - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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We visiting Ponderosa on a Sunday afternoon. It is in a fairly new building and seems to be in an up-and-coming part of town near Old Town with a lot of new construction housing and buildings. Upon entering, we were pleasantly surprised to find that it was Happy Hour! We enjoyed a flight and a pint and thought all of the beer was good. We also tried nearly every item on the Happy Hour Menu - 4 types of sliders, chicken tenders, and green chili cheese fries. All in all, the food was good for the price! Sliders were $4 for 2 sliders and the fries and tenders were $5 each. We enjoyed sitting at the bar and watching both rugby and soccer on TV as well as the ambiance of the bar (new construction and plenty of exposed wood) but overall felt there was room for improvement with the food as well as with the beers. We also discovered that every Saturday night there are two-step lessons and live music which sounds very fun! read more

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This location is sooo cool!! I would have had no idea it existed without the glories of Yelp. You feel like you've been transported to a cooler, more progressive town with loving and business spaces coexisting in an artistic space. I love the decor, inside and patio and the service was top notch. The vibe is great and a great place to hang out. read more

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After an amazing time at Meow, we stopped by at Panderosa Brewery for some beers and some food. This place exceeded our expectations with its enticing combination of delicious bites and flavorful beers. We had about 50 buffalo and garlic parmesan $1 wings, chicken tenders and fries, warm pretzels, and beef sliders which complemented their tasty beer selection. The wings were crispy, the tenders were juicy, the pretzels were warm and comforting, and the beef sliders were a delightful savory treat. The laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff added to the overall enjoyable experience. It was crazy to see that there was just one lovely lady running the show - from bartending to serving to hosting, which made the service slightly late. read more

While the ambiance was great, service was awesome and the beer was good, the food we had was just terrible. Greasy tacos with almost no meat and four little fish stick size pieces on the battered fish plate. read more

Great service Great food (best pretzel in town) Great beer Tried the twice fried tacos and we are hooked read more

Was at first excited about trying this new place, unfortunately, the DJ music in the background was so loud that we couldn't even hear each other at the table. I don't mind a little background music but please turn it down. The service was great! read more

Great burger!!!! Good beer selection. Friendly staff. Good prices. Very clean place! read more

Ponderosa Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Great food! We had pulled pork sando, buffalo chicken wrap and a chef's salad... all terrific! Really good beers! I'm an IPA guy, and the Ghost Train might be the best I've ever had!! Don't miss this place!! read more

Likely the worst the worst experience I've ever had in a diner, cafe, or bar. The food was bland and completely unimaginative even for a bar, much less a "brewing company". Is everybody a brewing company these days? Put a couple of stainless containers in the back and a home brewing kit and snap I'm a brewmaster. I'm originally from St. Louis. Beer is an art, not a high school science project. If you try this place I wish you luck. Our waitress tried , but she was having to do everything herself while everyone else seemed to be standing around. Plenty of better options close by, like the Range and Church Street Cafe. read more

I've come here in the past, before the pandemic, and they have a great place here: good wine, craft brew, amazing menu, and when they can fun entertainment! Today we went to support local during the pandemic. The portions were large, hot, and fair priced. Donna and her staff are keeping this small business alive. Thank you! Thank you for sticking with Albuquerque during this trying time. Hopefully you're able to stay open with us all the way through this. read more

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I went here with a friend and had no idea what to expect but in the end I was not very impressed. My friend ordered the pretzel for an appetizer. The pretzel was pretty good but the cheese sauces that came with it were worthy of gas station nacho pump cheese, gross. I got the the fish and chips and the fish was good as were the fries but the slaw was swimming in so much mayo that I could not eat it and the tarter sauce was pretty bad as well. However the final straw was when I asked for a water back with my beer and the waitress pointed to a water dispenser on a table next to the wall. I won't be tipping when I have to serve myself read more

Food and beer were good. The place was clean, well lit, and decorative. Only downfall for our visit was the lacking service. It really was not to busy but it was a lot of waiting since the time we sat down. read more

Ponderosa Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Amazingly friendly service. Huge order of fries, enough for two people, cooked just the way you like them. You want your fries mooshy? just ask. Very crispy? again, what? just ask! In between? just ask. Fries could use a little garlic or cilantro for more flavor. Raspberry wheat beer perfect flavor between tart and sweet, and some taste of the fruit. Great for singles, couples, or parties of 4 or more. Very large space, plenty of seating at booths by window, at the bar, or at tables in between. Music Wednesdays and Saturdays. Happy hour menu + food menu. 10 beers on tap. read more

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Great beer and good food in a stylist upcoming location near Old Town. We tried a few of the beers. Ghost Train IPA, tropical, malty and big on hops. Bellamah Brown, North England style brown ale, creamy, malted chocolate deliciousness. Ripsaw Red, PNW style red Ale. Spiced citrus and malty with a crisp edge. Hop-Mosa IPA, Hazy New England style. It's tropical, creamy and juicy. With a smooth mouth feel. This was our favorite beer, but they were all very good. There is pub food and daily specials. Plenty of parking. We would definitely comeback when we visit the area again. read more

Ponderosa Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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The beer was good and they also have food. It's more of a contemporary still brewery with an upscale feel. Don't worry, the prices are very reasonable. It is located in a mixed use area. The brewery is on the first floor, with living spaces above. I do recommend stopping for a cold beer. read more